WO2019165487A1

WO2019165487A1 - Method and device for visualizing or evaluating a process state

Info

Publication number: WO2019165487A1
Application number: PCT/AT2019/060066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef Giessauf
Original assignee: Engel Austria Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-03-02
Filing date: 2019-02-28
Publication date: 2019-09-06
Also published as: EP3551420A1; EP3804951A1; EP3804951B1; US11241811B2; EP3551420B1; CN112020415A; DE102019105230A1; US20200391422A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for evaluating and/or visualizing a process state of a production system (1), which contains at least one cyclically operating shaping machine (2), wherein: continuously or at discrete times, the value of a plurality of selected process variables is determined and the current value of each selected process variable and or a variable derived therefrom is compared with one or more reference values by means of a computing unit (4) and a deviation or a rate of change is determined; each selected process variable is assigned to at least one logical group by means of the computing unit (4); at least two different logical groups are provided; and for each logical group, a state of the logical group is evaluated by means of the computing unit (4) on the basis of the process variables assigned to said logical group and/or is visualized by means of a display device (5).

Description

Method and device for visualizing or assessing a process state

The invention relates to a method having the features of the preamble of claim 1, a computer program product having the features of claim 17, a visualization device for a production plant having the features of the preamble of claim 18, an assessment device for a production plant having the features of the preamble of claim 19 and a production facility with such a visualization and / or assessment device.

Currently, visualization devices and evaluation devices for generic production systems offer the possibility of displaying and / or monitoring hundreds of process variables determined from measured values in the form of key figures.

Such measures may be, for example, minima, maxima, averages or integrals of traces recorded within a cyclical production process (production cycle).

Typically, such curves are a function of time. Further key figures can also be times (from the start of the measurement) for which the curve assumes a specific property, ie the time of the maximum / minimum; Time at which the integral exceeds a certain value, time at which a defined value is reached, exceeded or undershot, etc.

Measurements can also be derived from the combination of measurements with different sensors. Are z. B. in a plastic injection molding machine during injection, the screw position, the injection pressure and the internal mold pressure measured, so can via the connecting parameter "time" ratios such as the screw position at which the maximum injection pressure is reached, the internal mold pressure at the front screw position o. Ä. be determined. For key figures, there are initially (unlike actual values for which there is usually an assigned setpoint value) no expectation value, they often result from several factors. As an example, the maximum injection pressure in a plastic injection molding machine is mentioned, which results inter alia from the injection speed, geometry of the mold cavity, melt viscosity and mold temperature. Precisely for this reason, these quantities are so interesting, as they can be used to infer non-measurable or not directly measured influencing variables or their change.

Setpoints are production plant settings that are specified by the operator, simulation software, a setup wizard, or a process optimization system. Typically, these numeric values (z. B. target temperatures, positions, speeds) to Boole ^'sche values (on / off), strings or the selections from a list.

A generic method and a generic visualization device for a production plant with a cyclically operating molding machine in the form of a plastic injection molding machine are described in DE 10 2007 013 044 B4. The plastic injection molding machine described therein has a machine control which is designed such that in the operating state various process parameters of a current injection molding cycle are compared with the corresponding process parameters of at least one previous injection molding cycle, a stability parameter being formed from the changes of the various process parameters and exceeding one Threshold value is displayed by the stability parameter a warning signal on a display device. Preferably, a warning system by visualization of a traffic light is used.

A disadvantage of this prior art is that when problems arise clarifying the cause of the problem is difficult.

US 2004/148136 A1 teaches the visualization of data for a production site by means of a plurality of logical groups (see Fig. 6 of this document), each logical group containing a production plant. A visualization or assessment of data of the components of the production plants (cyclically working

Molding machine and peripherals) is not possible.

The object of the invention is to provide a method, a

Computer program product, a visualization device, a

Judging device and / or a production plant, which can be better judged and / or easier to understand for an operator, which is the cause of a problem.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, a computer program product with the features of claim 17, a

A visualization apparatus having the features of claim 18, a judging apparatus having the features of claim 19, and a production facility having such a visualization and / or judging apparatus. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The inventive method allows the simple visualization and / or assessment of process variables of a production plant by an operator or by a computing unit, the production plant contains in a minimal configuration, only the cyclic forming machine, but in practice usually still the forming machine upstream and downstream or Parallel running machines, devices and devices (in general: peripheral devices) are provided. The factory preset assignment of process variables to specific logical groups already provides the person skilled in the art with hints on the cause of changes, which in turn facilitates troubleshooting.

It can be provided that the logical groups are formed according to at least one of the criteria listed in the following list:

Plant area or component of the production plant (eg closing unit, injection unit, tool, backflow barrier, etc.)

Process step or state of a production process Properties of a molding compound processed by the molding machine Properties of a molding produced by the molding machine possible faults or errors in the production process

Presence of a desired state (eg "locking behavior of the barrier is OK")

Productivity and profitability of the production plant or the production process or parts thereof

Environmental conditions of the production plant or production process or parts thereof

For example, grouping into logical groups can be done by:

- Process steps of the production cycle

- functional units of the production plant, in particular the forming machine

physical quantities of the production process or measures preparatory to the production process (eg preheating components of the forming machine)

Specially adapted to a plastic injection molding machine, the logical

Groups related to process steps, functional units or physical quantities may be formed or provided as follows:

The logical groups in relation to process steps of the production cycle can be (individually or in any combination):

logical group with respect to the process step "drying and conveying plastic material into at least one plasticizing unit of the plastic injection molding machine", e.g. B. referred to as "drying and conveying"

logical group relating to the process step "plasticizing the conveyed plastic material in the at least one plasticizing unit of the plastic injection molding machine", e.g. B. referred to as "plastic melt"

logical group with respect to the process step "injecting the plasticized plastic material into at least one cavity of the plastic injection molding machine", e.g. B. referred to as "fill form" logical group with respect to the process step "cooling and removal and / or ejection of the molded part formed by solidification of the plasticized plastic material injected into the at least one cavity", e.g. B. referred to as "shape and removal"

logical group with respect to the process step "closing and opening of at least two mold clamping parts attached to the mold parts of the plastic injection molding machine, through which the at least one cavity can be formed", z. B. referred to as "close and open"

The logical group "drying and conveying" may include, for example, the process variables "temperature of the plastic material", "moisture content of the plastic material".

The logical group "plastic melt" may include, for example, the process variables "temperature of the plasticized plastic material", "power of a plasticizing unit tempering device", "back pressure in the screw space of the plasticizing screw", "speed and / or torque of the plasticizing screw".

The logical group "fill mold" may include, for example, the process variables "injection pressure", "screw feed rate of the plasticizing screw".

The logical group "shape and removal" may include, for example, the process variables "cavity pressure", "mold temperature", "hot runner temperature", "power of a temperature control device of the mold".

The logical group "closing and opening" can, for example, be the process variables "closing force with which the mold parts can be pressed against one another via the mold clamping plates during injection", "closing force distribution", "tearing force with which the mold parts are moved apart after solidification of the molded part" , "Embossing stroke when using an embossing tool" include. The logical groups in relation to functional units of the production plant can be (individually or in any combination):

- logical group regarding "plastic injection molding machine"

- logical group with respect to "closing unit of the plastic injection molding machine"

- logical group with regard to "injection unit of plastic injection molding machine"

logical group in relation to "rapid lifting device of the clamping unit"

logical group with respect to "closing mechanism of the clamping unit"

logical group in terms of "mold"

logical group with respect to "mold ejector"

logical group with respect to "tempering device of the mold"

logical group in relation to "plasticizing unit of the injection unit"

- logical group in relation to "dosing drive of plasticising unit"

- logical group in relation to "injection drive of the plasticizing unit"

- logical group in relation to "Flanding device for the plastic injection molding machine"

As those skilled in the art will understand how to correlate the sizes discussed above with respect to the logical groups for the process steps to the logical groups for the functional units, a corresponding explanation will be omitted.

The logical groups in terms of physical quantities of the production process can be (individually or in any combination):

- logical group in terms of "temperature", "pressure", "way", "volume", "speed", "speed", "force", "time", "power", "torque", etc.

With regard to a method according to the invention, it is provided that each selected process variable is assigned to at least one logical group, wherein at least two different logical groups are provided, and that for each logical group a state of the logical group is evaluated on the basis of the process variables assigned to this logical group / or visualized. With regard to a visualization or evaluation device according to the invention, it is provided that different logical groups can be visualized and / or assessed, and that each selected process variable is assigned to at least one of the logical groups and for each logical group a state of the logical group based on this logical group Group assigned process variables can be visualized and / or assessed.

The visualization device or evaluation device according to the invention is preferably designed for carrying out the method according to the invention. It should be noted that in order to keep the present disclosure short, the measures described in relation to the method according to the invention may of course also be provided individually or in any combination in a visualization device or evaluation device according to the invention.

The visualization device or judging device may be present as a single unit (and is preferably located at the production facility) or in decentralized form. In the latter case, individual or all components of the visualization device or assessment device may be located at different locations away from the production facility, e.g. In the form of a cloud solution. In this case too, the visualization device or assessment device must, of course, have access to the process variables of the production plant, e.g. B. via a remote data connection.

The visualization device could, for example, be a display device formed by a mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc.) or a display device located at the production facility, a computing unit provided by a server in the cloud, and a storage medium stored in the cloud, the mobile device or the Production plant is formed, have. The same applies to the assessment device.

Preferably, a cyclically operating shaping machine in the sense of the invention is understood as meaning a plastic injection molding machine. Protection is also desired for a production facility that includes at least one cyclically-operating forming machine and that has a visualization device or assessment device according to one of the described embodiments or that can be brought into data connection with such a device.

Each production plant thus has one (preferably only one) cyclically operating shaping machine. Of course, a cyclically operating shaping machine can have a plurality of cyclically operating subunits, in particular a plurality of cyclically operating plasticizing and / or injection units. In this case, the cycle of the production plant is to be understood as the time span which takes into account all cyclically operating subunits. Optionally, the production facility also has the shaping machine upstream and downstream or parallel running machines, devices and devices, which can each provide process variables and are preferably equipped with sensors for determining measurement data. Examples of this are devices and systems for supplying the forming machine or the forming tool (cooling and temperature control devices, material conveyors, dosing and mixing systems), for the preparation of the raw material (dryer, deduster), devices for manipulating the molded parts (robots, conveyor belts, separating switches), Equipment for quality control (optical image processing, scales, measuring equipment), equipment for further processing or processing of molded parts or systems for measuring additional process variables from the tool (cavity pressure, temperature, tool breathing or expansion) or the environment.

By way of example, it is provided that at least one selected process variable is an actual value, a desired value, a characteristic number, a measured value profile, a variable calculated from a plurality of preceding values, such as a drift, a slope or a scattering or an operating state. Different examples can be used for different selected process variables.

A reference value can be any value that is used for a comparison with a process variable. A specific reference value can be provided for several process variables or it can be a separate one for each process variable Reference value be provided. It is preferably provided that at least one reference value is selected from the list below, whereby at least two or even all of the following list entries can also be combined:

one or more temporally preceding value (s) of the selected process variable, for example a value of the selected process variable immediately preceding the time, or a drift or scatter

a value of the selected process variable stored by the operator at a certain time

a value calculated from several process variables

- a setpoint for the selected process variable

an ideal value, determined by an expert system, for the selected process variable

a variable calculated from the current value of the selected process variable and / or from one or more temporally preceding values of a process variable, for example drift or scatter

A combination of the above list entries can be called the reference state of the production process.

Thus, according to the invention, process variables of a current work cycle do not necessarily have to be compared with those of previous work cycles, but the process variables (which do not necessarily have to relate to a work process) can also be determined at specific time intervals. As a result, z. B. heating processes are considered in which no work cycle is driven. In this case, the values determined for temperatures or volume flows of tempering media would be a suitable basis for characteristic numbers, which are eg. B. be determined every 10 seconds.

It is preferably provided that the discrete-time determination of the values of the plurality of selected process variables takes place in one of the following ways:

- for a sequence of cyclical production processes, preferably in each cyclical production process - When a predefined event occurs, eg. For example, every time the predefined event occurs, a new value is determined

at predetermined intervals (eg a new value every x seconds)

The measures defined in the previous paragraph may also be provided in relation to the determination of the deviation or rate of change.

The following questions can be included in the assessment of a process status:

- Do the process variables change in the recent past in the form of drifts or jumps or do they remain constant?

- Have process variables changed since the definition of the reference values stored at a defined time?

- Have process variables been changed by user intervention, a process controller, a process optimization system or external influences?

- Are certain process variables, in particular setpoints, to be changed, since certain key figures are unfavorable on the basis of stored expert knowledge or on the basis of a comparison with the past?

The quality of a production process (process quality) initially has no direct connection with the quality of the molded parts produced. Nevertheless, it is assumed that a good process quality is the basis for a constant quality of the molded parts. By observing the quality of the process, faults can be detected at an early stage. In the event of deterioration, a quality inspection of the molded parts can be initiated, the result of which can be correlated with the concrete change in process quality for future evaluation. From these relationships one can learn relationships or provide a self-learning system (machine learning) with these connections as input.

Particularly preferably, it is provided that logical groups are arranged in at least two flier levels, such that at least one logical group of a lower hierarchical level is assigned to a different logical group of a higher hierarchical level. By grouping and cumulating the For information, the process of manufacturing equipment (forming machines including peripheral equipment) can be generalized to production cells, production halls or locations.

For example, it can be provided that

- In a (preferably uppermost) hierarchical level, the logical groups are selected in relation to process steps of the production cycle

- In a lower (preferably next lower) hierarchical level, the logical groups are selected according to functional units of the production facility

- In a further lower (preferably lowest) hierarchical level, the logical groups are selected according to physical quantities

The logical groups of an upper hierarchical level can therefore contain logical groups of one or more lower hierarchy levels.

For example, can be provided specially adapted to a plastic injection molding machine that:

- a hierarchical level contains those logical groups selected in relation to "process steps of the production cycle"

a lower hierarchical level for each of the logical groups of the upper hierarchical level includes those logical groups which have been selected with regard to the "functional units of the production plant", but only for those functional units of the production plant which are involved in the respective process step

a further lower hierarchical level for each of the logical groups of the upper hierarchical level includes those logical groups selected with respect to "physical quantities of the production process" but only for those physical quantities that are relevant with respect to the selected functional unit

It can be provided that, if the deviation of a characteristic number of a group exceeds a predetermined value, an action is triggered, for. B. a message is issued to the operator with respect to the affected logical group. The merger of the evaluation of individual process variables in several hierarchical levels produces an overall overview of the state of the process, from which the operator can obtain the desired information along the hierarchical structure in different levels up to the individual process variables, or the visualization device Operator will automatically present this information. In terms of assessment with or without visualization, the advantage is that actions to be performed automatically are more definable.

Various algorithms can be used to determine the deviation or rate of change for selected process variables. Examples:

- moving average of several values, filtering, smoothing

- Scattering of several values

- Maximum, minimum and times of occurrence

- mean, integral

- median

- Calculation of the slope of several values

- Detection of kinks in signal progressions

- Difference of a value to the reference value

The results of the algorithms can be checked with limits for relevance. These limits can z. B .:

(a) be deposited as a result of expert systems or

(b) be obtained from a self-learning system

(c) be predefined

(d) determined according to a calculation rule based on machine or process variables

(e) based on experience

(f) be specified by user input

Numerical examples of cases (a) and (b): When calculating the slope of a cylinder temperature signal, a slope of 0.5 Kelvin / second is detected.

(a) The stored limit value for the relevance of a cylinder temperature gradient is 0.3 Kelvin / second, so the rate of change is classified as relevant.

(b) In the current production, the occurred change rates of the temperature were stored. In 99% of the observed cases, the rate of change was less than 0.4 Kelvin / second, so the currently determined value is classified as relevant.

In one embodiment of the invention, instructions are provided to the operator for process optimization or troubleshooting. These can be deposited as the result of an expert system. Alternatively, the method may store the actions taken by the operator to eliminate the detected deviations, so that they may be learned and later made available to the same operator or other operators or made known as a suggestion.

In one embodiment of the invention, process optimization or troubleshooting is automatically performed by automatically changing settings (eg, set points) of the production process and / or production facility and / or interrupting production and / or ordering replacement parts and / or customer service is notified.

Another dimension in the visualization and / or assessment may be introduced in the form of observation levels, where an observation level represents a status of the process state of the production process and / or the production plant, beyond the boundaries of the logical groups.

In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the determination and / or display of the deviation or rate of change takes place along observation levels. Only when an observation plane has been found to be OK (the process variables associated with this observation plane have been found to be in order with respect to deviation or rate of change with respect to the at least one reference value) will the determination and / or indication of the deviation or Rate of change with respect to a process variable of a next level. Suitable observation levels can be:

- Status (Are heaters, temperature control circuits switched on?)

- Plausibility of actual values (Are sensible values supplied? If not, a sensor could be defective.)

- Are (regulated) actual values settled, ie close to the associated setpoint?

- Are key figures settled?

- Are key figures similar to those in the reference state?

- Setting quality (Are suggestions based on expert systems for improving the process quality by changing setpoints?)

In addition, there may also be observation levels in relation to which the determination and / or display of the deviation or rate of change with respect to a process variable occurs, regardless of how higher or lower orderly levels of observation are assessed.

It is preferably provided that the results of the determination of the deviation or rate of change on a display device, for. As a display on the production line, a mobile device or a production control system are made available and further processed there and / or visualized.

It is preferably provided that the overall overview of the process state includes jump points to thematically assigned screen pages of the controller, the production control system, the mobile device, etc. Jump points are links that allow quick switching between screen pages ("jumping"). It is likewise preferably provided that the logical groups of a hierarchy level are selected such that each logical group can be assigned a screen page which can be visualized by means of the display device. This is given, for example, in the above-described logical group "functional units of the production plant" if the visualizable by means of the display screen pages are structured according to the functional units (eg screen pages "injection", "dosing", "mass cylinder heating", "open mold", etc. ). As an alternative to "jumping" to linked views, it is of course also possible to use the in to integrate detailed information relevant to the respective situation into the overview view.

It is preferably provided that it is automatically assessed whether a reference value may be written by the operator in the current state with regard to the selected process variable. This can be made dependent on which observation level the logical groups have been found to be in order. This can apply to all logical groups or only to those affected by a particular reference value.

It is preferably provided that different reference values and / or relevance values are used depending on the current situation of the production plant (eg shaping machine ready for production start, start of production, molded parts ready for use, etc.).

It can be provided that actions to be taken for the operator at predetermined deviations or rates of change are proposed or are carried out automatically. The produced molded parts can be considered scrap.

It can be provided that the user can select a signaling (alarm message, alarm lamp, SMS, e-mail, etc.), in the event that a future process change is detected.

It can be provided that the assessment and / or visualization of process changes of a last cycle of the production process compared to one or more previous cycles or cycles of the production process and / or against a set of stored at a user-defined time process variables (which of course remain constant in time, until they are changed or deleted, hereinafter also referred to as reference values), preferably grouped according to process steps. The visualization can take place, for example, in the form of a traffic light display or a target display. In this case, a comparison of the process variables with those of the last cycle or the last cycles z. B. be done so that drifts, scatters, change of scatters, etc. are displayed. There are no user actions required. The monitored parameters and monitoring limits are predefined at the factory and / or are learned independently in the course of production. Adjustments by the user are possible, but not required.

A comparison with process variables (reference values) stored at a user-defined time point may, for example, be: For example, to do this comparison, the user must set the current or a selected previous cycle of the production process as a reference cycle. The reference cycle can be set for all groups / parameters or for selected groups / parameters. Alternatively, reference values can be entered manually. The user can be informed before the setting of a reference value, whether the time is just cheap or not. A point in time is favorable when no process changes based on previous values are detected.

Reference values can, for. B. in the parts data set of the production system or more precisely the shaping machine are stored so that they can be read in the next setup of the same tool again.

It can be provided that, in addition to the visualization of process changes, a setpoint change made or a system standstill is visualized by a mode change.

With respect to the visualization in a target representation, it can be provided that a logical quadrant is assigned to each logical group to be visualized in that coordinate system in which the target is visualized.

Preferably, it is provided that a common representation of the deviation from preceding and from reference stored values in the form described below: The normalized removal of parameters from their associated stored value is symbolized in the target by the distance from the center.

Parameters that deviate from the stored reference value are more or less far from the midpoint, depending on the extent of their deviation. If they are not changing at the moment, they are visualized as dots. If the parameters change at the moment, they are not visualized as dots, but as arrows in such a way that the direction of the change relative to the stored reference value is visualized by the direction of the arrow relative to the center.

First Embodiment of the Invention (FIG. 1) - Determination and Visualization of the Change in the Value of a Process Variable in Relation to the Recent Past:

The shaping machine is designed as a plastic injection molding machine. However, the following explanations apply equally to other forms of shaping machines.

The visualization program is hierarchical. The highest level of hierarchy contains the logical group "process stability". On a subordinate hierarchical level, the logical groups "machine", "granulate", "melt", "filling", "tool" and "molded" are provided to assess process stability. Each logical group of this upper hierarchical level is assigned at least one other logical group at the next lower hierarchical level. For example, here the logical group "tool" contains the subgroups "heaters", "tempering", "movements" and "demoulding".

The logical group "temperature control" is assigned the key figure Delta_T_1. The value describes the temperature difference between flow and return of a Temperiermedienkanals a tool. This process variable is measured in each cycle (cycle no.). From the comparison of the current value with the previous values, a slope is calculated. Exceeds the Slope a reference value in the form of a stored limit, so this is assessed as instability and the logical group "tempering" with a warning symbol (shown here as an example call sign) provided. Since the logical group "temperature control" is a subgroup of the superordinate logical group "tool", this superordinate logical group also receives the warning call sign symbol. The highest hierarchical level contains the logical group "process stability", which is now also marked with a call sign. Those logical groups which were found to be in order due to the process variables assigned to them are marked with a check mark symbol.

In this way, changes compared to the recent past, such. As drifts, sudden changes or increasing variations are assessed.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, in addition to the symbols shown, check marks and call signs can also be color coded, namely the color green in connection with the tick and the color red in connection with the call sign. The color coding could also be provided as an alternative to labeling with symbols. Alternatively, only symbols, pure text hints or symbols combined with text hints (possibly with additional color coding) could be provided. These statements generally apply to the invention.

Second Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention (FIG. 2) - Determination and Visualization of the Deviation from a Reference Value:

In this embodiment, the comparison is made with a reference state set by the operator. Here, the media flow rates have changed in two temperature control circuits. Third Exemplary Embodiment of the Invention (FIG. 3) - Use of Knowledge of an Expert System:

In this embodiment, the process variable "mass cushion" (= foremost screw position during injection and reprinting) is compared with a stored in the form of knowledge of an expert system minimum value as a reference value and classified as too low.

Fourth Embodiment of the Invention (FIGS. 4 and 5) - Information filtering with observation planes:

In FIG. 4, from left to right, logical groups ("machine", "granulate", "melt", "filling", "tool" and "molded part") of a particular flierarchy level are plotted, to which specific setpoint values, actual values, state variables and characteristic numbers are assigned are. From the bottom to the top, observation planes are shown, which are judged sequentially (from bottom to top) and assess and visualize various process states of the production process or plant, which may be of interest to an operator.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example a situation before the start of production of a plastic injection molding machine. The heaters are switched on, but the target temperatures have not yet been reached. The actual temperature values of the machine (cylinder heater) and the tool move in the direction of the setpoints. Only when the setpoints are reached, the next step of the assessment - the stability of the assigned process variables. The logical groups "Granules", "Melt", "Filling" and "Molding" In this state, they can only be assessed to the extent that the setpoints have not been changed compared to a reference.

FIG. 5 shows a possible state during production (ie at a later point in time than in FIG. 4). One or more process variables suitable for evaluating the logic group "melt" are moving away from the value determined at the time of determining the corresponding reference value.

A process variable suitable for evaluating the logical group "stuffing" has a higher variance compared to the reference. A process variable capable of judging the quality of the logical group "FormedN" drifts in the direction of the reference value stored in the referencing.

The forming machine in the fifth embodiment of the invention (Figures 6 - 9) is designed as a plastic injection molding machine. However, the following explanations apply equally to other forms of shaping machines.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6, a traffic light representation of process changes of the last cycle compared to immediately preceding (left-hand illustration) as well as to reference values stored at a user-defined time (right-hand representation) is provided. Six logical groups are assessed and visualized. There is a grouping according to process steps (here eg "drying and conveying", "plastic melt", "fill mold", "cool part", "shape and removal", "quality inspection"). Using the buttons "Show history", you can view a chronological progression (as shown in Fig. 8a, you switch to the corresponding page). In this example, there are changes to the filled-in circles (for example, in yellow). With the "Settings" button, display options of the visualization can be selected. It can, for. For example, you can choose how many past cycles of assessment and visualization should be used. The "Signaling" button allows the user to select signaling (alarm message, alarm lamp, SMS, e-mail, etc.) in case a process change is detected in the future. over The "Saved values" button can be used to enter, change or delete those reference values that underlie the comparison shown on the right-hand side. By selecting a tick, a selection of the visualization option can be made via the box shown in the header (in the present case, both visualization options have been selected). Fig. 6 visualizes that in this example (only) with respect to the logic group "melt plastic" there is a deviation from the previous values. A more detailed analysis is available to the user by selecting the "show history" button, by means of which he changes to the page shown in Fig. 8a.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, a target representation of process changes of the last cycle of the production process has been selected in comparison with previous and stored values. Four logical groups are visualized, each logical group being assigned a quadrant in the coordinate system shown.

In this example, an optional common representation of the deviation from previous values and from values stored as a reference takes place in the form described below:

The normalized removal of parameters from their associated stored value is symbolized in a target by the distance from the center.

Parameters that deviate from the stored reference value are more or less far from the midpoint, depending on the extent of their deviation. If they do not change at the moment, they are visualized as points (in the illustration, two such points can be seen). If the parameters change at the moment, they are not visualized as dots but as arrows in such a way that the direction of the change relative to the stored reference value is visualized by the direction of the arrow relative to the center (four in the diagram, for example) to see such arrows). Thus, the comparison with the previous values is such that parameters visualized as dots show no deviation from the value they had in the previous cycle or in the previous cycles.

A factory-preset and / or predefinable "tolerance" determines from which deviation from the stored reference value a visualization takes place.

An illustration was made of the aggregation and extent of the deviation in the form described below:

Parameters that are less than an acceptable tolerance from the stored reference are located in the innermost circle of the target. If they are in the target area and do not change, they are not shown for clarity. Each additional circular ring symbolizes a distance around the specified tolerance. If a parameter is in the outer white ring, it is 3-4 times out of tolerance.

Instead of displaying each parameter individually, an aggregation in the manner described below takes place in this example. In the process step "Fill Form", z. Eg 5 parameters 3-4 times out of tolerance. These values are stable, so they do not change at the moment and are therefore visualized as a point. Another three parameters in this segment of the circle continue to move away from their stored reference and are therefore visualized as arrows pointing away from the center. Of course, any other kind of grouping is possible.

By pressing one of the buttons "Show history" one arrives at a trend representation over a defined period of time or a defined number of cycles.

In this embodiment, only the comparison with the previous values can be deselected. In such a case all parameters are visualized as points. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8a, a course representation without curves takes place: the course of the process change compared to previous values is displayed over the last 40 cycles (of course another number could also be set). Events that can affect several logical groups are represented as icons in the header (in the common x-axis).

It can be seen that z. B. between cycles no. 18539 and no. 18549 a mode change has taken place (visualized by a star). Between cycle no. 18559 and no. 18569, the user has made a setpoint change (visualized here by way of example by means of a smiley face).

A hierarchical logical grouping follows: Process steps - Function unit - Physical size. By way of example, the hierarchy for the group "melt plastic" (as process step) is shown, with the subgroups "cylinder heating" and "dosing" (as functional units) and the respective further subgroups "tempterature" and "power" or "time" and " Moment "(as physical size). It will be appreciated that the setpoint change shown in the header has been made with respect to a cylinder heater temperature. The hatched areas in "Temperature" and "Performance" show an alarm, which has resulted from the change made. The same applies to the right-hand areas in the "Time" and "Moment" subgroups of the "Dosing" subgroup, while the left hatched area in the "Time" subgroup is a consequence of the mode change.

Fig. 8b explains the meaning of the symbols recognizable in Fig. 8a.

It can be provided an automatic preselection:

If the user changes to this page, only those logical groups or parameters are displayed that have undergone a change in the set observation period (here 40 cycles). There is thus an automatic preselection of information that is currently relevant. By activating the function "All Display parameters ", the user can also view the stable parameters during the observation period.

The example shows a process change. The parameters are compared in each cycle with their recent past. If z. For example, if a temperature changes from 220 ° C to 230 ° C, this transitional period will be marked until the new stable temperature is reached.

The representation of the process change from stored reference values would look similar. The difference, however, is that the time range flag does not end until the state is reached again at the time of user-defined storage.

Use the "Limits" button to set acceptable tolerances or (if predefined at the factory) to change them.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 shows a course illustration for FIG. 8a with the curve area of the physical variable "temperature" unfolded:

There is a representation of the curve with dashed lines drawn tolerances (limits). The tolerances are predefined at the factory, but can be changed by the user. The definition of tolerances can be made for individual parameters or for parameter types (eg all temperatures, all cylinder temperatures, etc.).

It may be provided a parameter selection in the form that a set of parameters to be monitored in the factory is predefined, but the monitoring of each parameter can be disabled by the user.

The measures shown in Figures 6 to 9 with respect to an embodiment of the invention may also be provided individually or in any combination. With regard to the embodiments of a visualization device discussed above, they apply equally to a

Assessment device, if you do not consider the visualization as mandatory.

Fig. 10 shows schematically a production plant 1 including a

Forming machine 2 and a Flandlingvorrichtung 3. Via a data connection 7, a computing unit 4 and a storage medium 6 are connected to a display device 5 to form the assessment and / or visualization device.

The display device 5 may, for example in the form of a screen of a

Machine control of the forming machine 2 and / or in the form of a web portal and / or in the form of a wearable on a body visualization device (eg., Flandheld device such as tablet or VR glasses) to be formed.

Of course, the arithmetic unit 4 and the storage medium 6 could also be a part of the shaping machine 2, for example a part of the machine control, other than shown.

In the storage medium 6, an assessment program is stored, wherein by the

Assessment program different logical groups are bildbar and that each selected process size is associated with at least one of the logical groups and for each logical group, a state of the logical group based on the this process group associated process variables can be assessed.

A visualization program is also stored in the storage medium 6, it being possible to visualize different logical groups by the visualization program and that each selected process variable is assigned to at least one of the logical groups and for each logical group a state of the logical group based on the process variables assigned to this logical group Display device 5 can be visualized. Reference numerals and terminology used:

1 production plant

2 forming machine

3 handling device

4 arithmetic unit

5 display device

6 storage medium

7 data connection

Measured value of a sensor supplied value or based on the signals supplied by the sensor specific value of a physical size of the production plant, one of its components or the processed material

Process variable from measured value (s) determined size, can be represented in the form of one or more key figures

Key figure from process variable determined size, such as. B. Properties of

Traces; Time at which measured values take on specific values, etc.

Setpoint Adjustment variable for the production plant

Reference value Value that is used for a comparison with a process variable

Reference state Combination of reference values at a specific point in time, which characterizes the state of the production plant or parts thereof at that time

Reference value special form of a reference value, namely process variable stored at a user-defined time for comparison with one or more process variables

Tolerance value (eg in the form of a band around a curve), which indicates from which deviation a visualization and / or evaluation takes place

Claims

claims:

1. A method for assessing and / or visualizing a process state of a production plant (1) which contains at least one cyclically operating forming machine (2), wherein the value of a plurality of selected process variables is determined time-continuous or time-discrete and the current value of each selected process variable or a variable derived therefrom is compared with one or more reference values by a computing unit (4) and a deviation or a change rate is determined, characterized in that each selected process variable is assigned by the computing unit (4) to at least one logical group, wherein at least two different logical groups Groups are provided, and that for each logical group by the arithmetic unit (4) a state of the logical group is judged on the basis of this logical group associated process variables and / or visualized by a display device (5).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein as at least one selected process variable, an actual value, a desired value, a characteristic number, a measured value course, a value calculated from a plurality of previous values such as a drift, a slope or a scattering or an operating state is used.

3. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein in determining the deviation or the change by the arithmetic unit (4) is taken into account whether there was a change caused by an operator, a process controller, a process optimization system or by external influences.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one reference value is selected from the list below, wherein at least two or all of the following list entries can be combined: one or more temporally preceding value (s) of the selected process variable, for example a value of the selected process variable immediately preceding the time, or a drift or scatter

a value calculated from several process variables

- a setpoint for the selected process variable

5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the discrete-time determination of the values of the plurality of selected process variables and / or the determination of the deviation or rate of change takes place in one of the following ways:

- for a sequence of cyclical production processes, preferably in each cyclical production process

- when a predefined event occurs

- at predetermined intervals

6. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the logical groups are formed according to at least one of the criteria listed in the list below:

- Plant area or component of the production plant (1)

- Process step or state of a production process

Properties of a molding compound processed by the molding machine (2)

- Properties of a molding produced by the molding machine (2)

- possible faults or errors in the production process - Presence of a desired state

- Productivity and economy

- Environmental conditions

Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein logical groups are arranged in at least two hierarchical levels, such that at least one logical group of a lower hierarchical level is assigned to a different logical group of a higher hierarchical level.

8. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein

- In a, preferably uppermost, hierarchical level, the logical groups are selected in relation to process steps of the production cycle

- In a lower, preferably next lower, hierarchical level, the logical groups are selected according to functional units of the production plant (1)

- In a further lower, preferably lowest, hierarchical level, the logical groups are selected according to physical quantities

9. The method according to at least one of the two preceding claims, wherein the logical groups of a hierarchical level are selected so that each logical group is assigned by means of the display device (5) visualizable screen page.

10. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two observation levels are used, wherein an observation level represents a status of the process state of the production process and / or the production plant and indeed beyond the boundaries of the logical groups.

11. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a determination and / or display of the deviation or rate of change takes place along observation levels, such that the determination and / or display of the Deviation or rate of change of a next level occurs only when a previous level of observation has been found to be in order.

12. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein instructions are given to an operator for process optimization or error correction.

13. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a process optimization or error correction is automatically performed by automatically set values of the production process or the production plant (1) are changed and / or production is interrupted and / or spare parts orders are triggered and / or customer service is notified.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the assessment and / or visualization of process changes of a last cycle of the production process occurs with respect to one or more preceding cycles or cycles of the production process and / or with respect to a set of process variables stored at a user-defined time, preferably grouped by process steps.

15. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein in addition to the visualization of process changes a made setpoint change or a plant standstill is visualized by mode change.

16. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein only those logical groups or parameters are displayed, which have undergone a change in a set or adjustable observation period.

17. A computer program product comprising instructions which, during the execution of the program by a computing unit (4), cause it to carry out the method according to at least one of the preceding claims.

18. A visualization device for a production plant (1) which contains at least one cyclically operating forming machine (2) for visualizing a process state of the production plant (1), in particular for carrying out a method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising:

- A display device (5) for displaying a stored in a storage medium (6) visualization program

- A computing unit (4), which is in communication with the display device and / or the storage medium or is configured to be brought into a data-transmitting connection with the display device (5) and / or the storage medium (6) and the thereto is configured to determine the value of a plurality of selected process variables of the production facility (1) in a time-continuous or time-discrete manner and to compare the respective current value of each selected process variable or a quantity derived therefrom with one or more reference values and to determine a deviation or a rate of change it is provided that the visualization program is designed to visualize each selected process variable in terms of its value and / or the deviations or rates of change determined by the arithmetic unit (4) by the display device (5),

characterized in that

by the visualization program different logical groups are visualized and that each selected process size is associated with at least one of the logical groups and for each logical group, a state of the logical group based on the logical group associated process variables by the display device (5) can be visualized.

19. An evaluation device for a production plant (1) which contains at least one cyclically operating forming machine (2) for assessing a process state of the production plant (1), in particular for carrying out a method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising:

- A storage medium (6), in which a judging program is stored - A computing unit (4) which communicates with the storage medium (6) in data transmitting connection or can be brought into such and is configured to execute the judging program

wherein the evaluation program is designed to obtain or determine the value of a plurality of selected process variables of the production plant (1) over time or in a discrete time manner and to compare the respective current value of each selected process variable or a quantity derived therefrom with one or more reference values and a deviation or to determine a rate of change and to judge each selected process variable in terms of its value and / or the particular deviations or rates of change;

characterized in that

different logical groups can be formed by the appraisal program and that each selected process variable is assigned to at least one of the logical groups and a state of the logical group can be evaluated on the basis of the process variables assigned to this logical group.

A judging or visualizing device according to the preceding claims, wherein logical groups are arranged in at least two hierarchical levels, such that at least one logical group of a lower hierarchical level is associated with a different logical group of a higher hierarchical level.

21. An assessment or visualization device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein

- In a lower, preferably next lower, hierarchical level, the logical groups are selected by functional units of the production plant (1)

22. A judging or visualizing device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the judgment and / or visualization of process changes of a final cycle of the production process against one or more previous cycles or cycles of the production process and / or against a set of stored at a user-defined time Process variables occur, preferably grouped by process steps.

23. assessment or visualization device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein in addition to the visualization of

Process changes a made setpoint change or a plant standstill can be visualized by change of operating mode.

24. Production plant (1) which contains at least one cyclically operating shaping machine (2), preferably a plastic injection molding machine, and has or is designed to have a judgment or visualization device according to at least one of the preceding claims with a data connection ( 7) to be brought.